The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-03-12

"He looks like boiled OWL" suggested
his companion.
''Drinks, | believe was the reply.
This was horrible, for Twistleton was a
follower of Prebendary Faiutin, the great
teetotaler.
But certainly Twistleton had dissipated
look this morning. His eyes were red, and
the lines under the eyes were very dark and
hollow; his cheeks were pale and yellow.
Something of this kind, 1 fancy, the Mas
ter of the Rolls remarked to Lord Justice
Smugg, who nodded assent.
Twistleton rose to open the case, which
was very intricate one, and Lord Usher,
according to his constant practice, inter
rupted him with the regularity of piece
of clockwork every two and half minutes,
and then wondered why he did not under
stand the case and shook himself inpatient
ly. Much to Lord Usher's astonishment,
Twistleton did not deliver any of those
stinging retorts by which he was wont to
keep the Court of Appeal in order, and
frighten their Lordships into deciding in
his favor. On noticing this Lord Usher
began to chaff and rally Twistletou in a
manner that was the admiration of the
Junior Bar, the two Lords Justices, and,
not least of all, of the Master of the Rolls
himself At length Twistleton, in expa-
tiating on the merits of Buncombes S sewing
machine, alluded to it as a typewriter
Whereupon Lord Usher said, with hu-
morous leer, that if it had been a question
of typewriters, no doubt Mr.. Twistleton
would have been called as q specialist to
give evidence, and would not have been
arguing the case before them. At which
those in the court who knew of Twistle-
toms fad Uttered; and his Lordship's name
sakes who stand about the court put their
hands before their faces and shook visibly
for moment or two, and then called out
"Hush p and looked angry. But Twistle-
ton lost his temper over this and asked his
Lordship if his Lordship meant to hint that
the Court did not want to hear him, and
intimated his intention, if such was the
case, of sitting down. And then the whole
court was really quite silent for minute
or two, in anticipation of row; and every
one ceased to fidget and paid close atten-
ton to Lord Usher, to hear him, with his
blandest and most urbane of smiles, ex-
planning how it was the great privilege of
that court to listen to Mr. Twistleton, and
what high value they set upon that priv
ilege, and how it was quite incOnceivable
to him (Lord Usher) that he Mr. Twistle-
tom could imagine for moment that this
court or any other court should wish him
to sit down. Whereupon Twistleton muir
INJURED that his Lordship was very good,
meaning thereby that he should like to be
with his Lordship in small room where
he could give him bit of his mind. Then
the case proceeded quite regularly, until
Twistleton handed Lord Usher lot of
papers to explain his case; and Lord Usher
coming to one, said, with knowing side
glance at Smngg, l.. j., that, from the
handwriting, it must be note of Mr..
Twistleton's in another case; as he did not
know that any one of the name of Charles
Colston was party to this case. And
what would have happened then ! don't
know; only the court rose for lunch.
l heard two or three people say that day
that s'Twistleton, poor fellow, was doing
more work than he osvestm. -. :.'s;'s &.
Teton was clilh i9R, bal. 81 sAoa = ..ss y
afford to burn the candle at both ends. "
Indeed, Twistleton's strange conduct in
Buncombe versus Badger was the general
topic of conversation in the robing room.
When Twistleton came out of court |
had the greatest difficulty to prevent him
from rushing down to Norfolk by the night
train. He was sure it was true; he beiiev-
ed in the message. calmed him down,
and We had dinner together at my club
He had to continue his speech in the morn
ing. | tried to coach him in Buncombe
versus Badger, but it was of no avail. 1
do not think he even knew for which side
he was appearing.
We agreed that we would sit up in
watches and SO keep our eye on the type
writer all night. There was a sofa in the
recess of the window, and Twistleton sent
me to bed and placed himself on this, l
bade him goodnight, and took his bed for
the first half of the night. About two
o'clock in the morning l awoke and went
to Twistleton. He was wide awake, read
ing some papers, on the sofa.
"Have you seen anything?" l asked.
"Nothing whatever" he replied.
''Nor heard anything?"
''Not sound"
We took the lamp to the typewriter and
opened it. There was the sheet of paper
as he always left it, untouched. Twistle-
ton locked it up again and took the key.
''Put it under your pillow"
"I vii" he replied; sits very good of
you to sit up like this"
ats nothing at all, assure you," an
swered.
"Keep strict watch, won't you?''
~ promise you" | said.
Twistleton shook me by the hand, with
emotion, and went out; he looked very i'll
aud wretched, | thought, and was sorry
for him. Was it a ghosts message OF what
that was making his life burden to him
Should | solve the mystery to-night2
waited about an hour and a half. The
dawn came peeping through the painted
shutters and made the lamp look dim. l
was almost dozing-in fact, l had shut my
eyes and lost consciousness for perhaps a
minute, perhaps more A sharp clicking
sound awoke me- 1t was the typewriter.
There, seated on a chair in front of it, play
ing nimbly on the queer instrument, was a
white, misty figure. 1t had finished. 1t
closed the cover down and had turned the
key. 1t wheeled round to the door, and |
saw the face and whiskers 1 knew SO well;
it was Twistleton himself.
My first impulse was to wake him, but I
had heard that it was dangerous to wake
persons walking in their sleep. He wanted
all the sleep he could get, SO | decided to
let him alone, to walk down to my own
chambers and get some more rest myself.
When 1 got out into Old Square l could
not help roaring with laughter. 1t was too
funny. The idea of old Twistleton writing
messages to himself on the typewriter, and
being frightened out of his wits by them.
What story to tell against him ! No one
would believe it, it was too good tobe true.
| awoke little late next morning, but
.a..t ot-.;,-lt Jo,,,, 20 OLD Co1o~a haforo